We try not to take our vacation on the same days as the public school if we can help it. Anywhere you go is way too crowded. So we took this winter break and split it up, using our days off for when there was something fun to do. Three of the days were spent ice skating. We just discovered that our rec center opens up their skating rink to homeschoolers on Wed afternoons for a great price. ($2 and $1 for skate rentals) Grace even got out there. The first time she cried the whole way around, but in the second day, she really took to it and even let go a bit and skated by herself.
We have a couple expiring passes, so we took a trip to two museums. The first day off was the science center...
My kids are so cooperative when I ask them to pose for a family picture.
Joshua did NOT like the dinosaurs. But he did enjoy digging for their bones.
Our Forth vacation day was spent at Strong Museum. Doesn't Courtney look so grown up?
That's because it's Rachael. It was her birthday so we asked her to come along. And Courtney was invited to stay in her place to play with Nina. As much as my girls enjoy each other's company (eh hum) they had much more fun spending the day with their cousins.
Where did the girls go? Why am I not surprised?
butterfly exhibit-
Whenever we take a trip to a museum, zoo, or anywhere there is a crowd, I have gotten into the habit of writing my cell phone number on the little kids hands. The girls have it memorized, but the boys have it written up on their arm where they can access it and they know to show it to a "good" adult if they happen to get lost. The babies have it written on their hand where it is easily seen by someone who may find them and want to help. It is difficult to teach the kids how to tell what adult to seek help from. There is not always a policeman or museum worker with a badge that is visible to the kids around. But they understand "stranger danger" and that the helping adult should be calling me immediately, and not trying to get them to go get ice cream.
While we were at the museum, a little girl (under two) was wandering around seemingly by herself. I have a habit of trying to "save" lost children that are actually standing within their parents eye shot, and am always embarrassed, but the parents never seem to mind that someone was looking out for their kid. So I fallowed her for a while and steered her back inside when she tried to walk out the door, with a gentle, "Honey, I think your Mommy's in here. Do you see her?" To which I only got a blank stare. Finally, the girl spotted the mother waaaay on the other side of the large, crowded room and ran to her. "Is this your child?" She said, "yeah" like she hadn't noticed that she was missing for 20 minutes. I would have been frantic, screaming "MY BABY! WHERE'S MY BABY!!?" but that's just me, and that's why I want to take every precaution I can. So this is why I'm sharing this simple tip. You're welcome. ;)
